BTEC Media L3 ED Unit 22 single camera productions 1 - introduction to single camera vs multi camera productions advantages and disadvantages

2. UNIT 22 SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTIONS: OVERVIEW
Learning Outcome 1: Understand the features of single camera production
Learning Outcome 2: Be able to plan a single camera production

3. UNIT 22 SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTIONS: OVERVIEW
Learning Outcome 1: Understand the features of single camera production
Formats: eg series, serial, single drama; genre, eg period, dramadoc, crime, soap opera, comedy
Narrative structures: eg linear (or sequential), non-linear (or non-sequential), flashback, realist,
anti-realist; endings, eg open, closed
Technical: camera; lighting; sound; editing; scripting; building a scene; building a story

4. UNIT 22 SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTIONS: OVERVIEW
Learning Outcome 2: Be able to plan a single camera production
Devising: finding ideas; developing ideas; narrative structures; character; scripts; treatments;
storyboards
Resources: talent; properties; costume; locations; video recording and playback equipment; audio
recording and playback equipment; lighting equipment; sound and visual effects
Planning: treatments; shooting scripts; records of pre-production meetings; shooting schedules; call
sheets; production roles; floor or location plans; prop lists; daily report

5. UNIT 22 SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTIONS: OVERVIEW
Learning Outcome 3: Be able to apply single camera techniques in a production
Production process: rehearsals; shoot; shooting records; production logs; technical competencies;
creative abilities; own work; teamwork
Post-production process: reviewing recorded material; edit preparation; editing vision and sound;
reviewing edit

6. UNIT 22 SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTIONS: OVERVIEW
Learning Outcome 1: Understand the features of single camera production
Formats: eg series, serial, single drama; genre, eg period, dramadoc, crime, soap opera, comedy
Narrative structures: eg linear (or sequential), non-linear (or non-sequential), flashback, realist,
anti-realist; endings, eg open, closed
Technical: camera; lighting; sound; editing; scripting; building a scene; building a story

7. OPENING TASK
• Write down your favourite, or most recently watched TV show on a post it note.

8. OPENING TASK
• Write down your favourite, or most recently watched TV show on a post it note.

9. SINGLE CAMERA VS MULTICAMERA PRODUCTION
Single camera production Multicamera Production
Place your post it note on the screen under either the single cam or multicam heading, depending on
which side you think it belongs to.

10. WHAT IS SINGLE CAMERA?
• Write a definition in your own
words in the class notebook

11. WHAT IS MULTI CAMERA?
• Write a definition in your own words in the class
notebook

12. MULTI CAMERA
IS OFTEN FILMED
IN A TV STUDIO
What kind of shows are typically
filmed in a TV studio?

13. This footage from multiple cameras is edited live, in real time (as it
happens), by the vision mixer.

14. Lighting is above the studio floor
and controlled remotely

15. QUESTION
• Why do you think multi-camera set ups are more likely to be used in a TV studio
production (compared to filming ‘on location’ for example?

16. SINGLE CAMERA
• Films the action with just one camera.

17. WHICH IS QUICKER ….
• FILMING THE ACTION WITH JUST ONE CAMERA OR WITH SEVERAL CAMERAS AT
THE SAME TIME?

18. Filming with multiple cameras allows us to capture the action
from several angles, in just 1 take.

19. ITS QUICK AS ITS *MOSTLY* FILMED JUST
THE ONCE, IN REAL-TIME

20. AND WE ALSO GET A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT
SHOTS TO USE

21. FILMING USING A SINGLE
CAMERA TAKES MORE TIME
As we just have 1 camera we can only film the
actors from 1 angle.
If we want to get a different shot, we need to
refilm the scene from a different angle.

22. AS WE JUST HAVE 1 CAMERA
WE CAN ONLY FILM THE ACTORS FROM 1 ANGLE
If we want to get a different shot, we need to refilm
the scene from a different angle.

23. WHENEVER WE RE-FILM A SCENE WE HAVE TO
MOVE & RELIGHT….

24. WHICH SOUNDS CHEAPER?

25. ADVANTAGES OF SINGLE CAMERA
• Cheaper; if more cameras were used, each camera man would cost money and
lighting and sound units. With multiple cameras running, the costs increase.
• More aesthetic control; lighting and sound for each shot, enhances the detail
and excitement.
• Don't need both actors on set at the same time; film the shots for one whilst the
other is in their trailer and vice versa.
• Practicality; you aren't limited in how much space you need to set up your shot.
• Easier with a small crew.
•But … it is also more creative and liberating!!

26. WE CAN
CREATE
MORE
BEAUTIFUL
LOOKING
SHOTS!

27. WE CAN TAKE TIME TO SETUP THE PERFECT SHOT
We don’t have to worry about other camera operators being in shot so we can get closer to the action!

28. DIS-ADVANTAGES OF SINGLE CAMERA
• It takes longer to complete a shoot.
• Less realistic reactions; as one actor gets filmed at a time, the reactions aren't as
natural.
• Repetition; repeat the same shot 3 times to get each angle as you can only get one at
a time, however use of multiple cameras you're able to capture everything at once.
• Editing time; you'll be spending a lot of time in the editing suite because of all the
shots that have been taken. With multiple cameras, you could shoot different angles
and takes at the same time.

29. SINGLE CAMERA VS MULTI CAMERA?
EXAMPLES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0804OxD5Ao&list=PLUPxDOG-YGRD6mFGrPOWsyQolx8xFniNh

30. ADVANTAGES OF MULTI-CAMERA
• It doesn't take as long to shoot a production because of all the cameras that are
recording.
• The reactions are more realistic because you're doing the scene with the other
actor so the emotion that you create; therefore enhancing the reactions.
• Using lighting and sound is a lot easier because you don't have to keep packing the
equipment to move to the next location like single camera production.
• You get a lot of the scenes covered in a shorter amount of time compared to single
camera as you capture various angles and shots within 1 day.

31. DIS-ADVANTAGES OF MULTI-CAMERA
• It takes longer to set up due to the large amount of equipment unlike single
camera production.
• It's definitely more expensive; the camera-men you need to hire and the
additional cameras are going to cost a little more than single camera
production!
• The locations that the director uses are mostly sets and not real places which,
in some cases, you can see through windows or mirrors the cameraman filming
or a piece of their equipment.

32. EXAMPLES OF MULTI-CAMERA
• FRIENDS
• BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT / X FACTOR
• JONATHAN ROSS
• MOCK THE WEEK
• POINTLESS

33. TASK 1
• Describe what a single camera production is and what a multi-camera production is.
• Giving examples, explain the advantages and dis-advantages of both Single and
Multi Camera techniques.